Electronic gaming device and system with configurable multi-lingual audio and other player preference options

ABSTRACT

Described is an electronic gaming device and system with player preference options. With the device or system, a player may select certain game parameters, including, but not limited to, whether or not to play for a progressive jackpot, whether or not to listen to game tones associated with the game and whether or not to play left handed or right handed. Players may also select a number of pay lines to play or which bonus games to play. The player&#39;s preferred parameters may then be stored such that during a later visit, the electronic gaming device may be automatically configured using the stored parameters or alternatively, the player may be provided with the option to select or decline the preferred parameters from a previous gaming session. In one version, multiple games of chance may be played simultaneously on a single game screen. Additional versions include a configurable multi-lingual audio playback feature that will assist players who speak languages other than English to hear audio and/or text messages in any chosen language. Another feature allows the operating buttons of the gaming machine to be reconfigured by the operator/player to adjust the setting of the machine and allow any or all of the following choices in the desired combination: language, progressive, tournament, class of gaming II or III in any combination at the touch of a button.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Upon conversion to a non-provisional application, this application maybe filed as a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/757,957 which was file on Jun. 4, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronicgaming devices (e.g., slot machines). More particularly, the embodimentsof the present invention relate to gaming devices providing players withmultiple options to customize the players' gaming experience.

2. Related Art

Electronic gaming devices, like slot machines, video poker machines andkeno machines, have taken over casinos and now account for almost 70% ofthe gaming revenues generated by a casino. Game manufacturers continueto develop machines with new themes, progressive jackpots, bonus gamesand other features intended to attract new players and retain existingplayers. One primary objective of any new electronic gaming device ormachine is to entice players to play them for longer periods of time.While new game themes may help extend gaming sessions, the gamingexperience associated with playing the machine is also important.

Thus, there is a need for an electronic gaming device and system thatpermits players to customize the gaming experience associated with aparticular gaming device or machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is an electronicgaming device for playing a game of chance comprising: a processoroperable to control a game of chance; means for permitting players toselect certain preferred parameters associated with playing the game ofchance on the electronic gaming device; and storage means incommunication with the electronic gaming device wherein the storagemeans is operable to store selected preferred parameters; and whereinthe electronic gaming device may be automatically configured during eachsubsequent gaming session based on stored selected preferred parametersfrom a previous gaming session.

A system embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality oflinked electronic gaming devices; means for permitting players to selectcertain preferred parameters associated with playing a game of chance onany one of the electronic gaming devices; storage means in communicationwith each electronic gaming device wherein the storage means is operabreto store selected preferred parameters; and wherein the electronicgaming devices can be automatically configured during each subsequentgaming session based on stored selected preferred parameters from aprevious gaming session.

A method embodiment of the present invention comprises: offering a gameof chance via an electronic gaming device; permitting players to selectcertain preferred parameters associated with playing the game of chanceon the electronic gaming device; storing selected preferred parametersassociated with the players; and causing the electronic gaming device tobe automatically configured during each subsequent gaming session basedon stored selected preferred parameters from a previous gaming session.

According to further embodiments of this invention, operator/playerconfigurable audio playback options are enabled to assist players thatspeak other languages to hear playback messages in their language ofchoice. Furthermore, an option is provided to enable an operator/playerto configure the functionality of push buttons to suit the type of gamebeing played, which may be a progressive, a tournament, or alternatingbetween Class II or Class III games, or the like.

In this manner, a player may select certain game parameters, including,but not limited to, whether or not to play for a progressive jackpot,whether or not to listen to game tones associated with the game andwhether or not to play left handed or right handed. Players may alsoselect a number of pay lines to play or which bonus games to play. Theplayer's preferred parameters may then be stored such that during afuture gaming session, the electronic gaming device may be automaticallyconfigured to the stored parameters or alternatively, the player mayhave the option to select or decline the preferred parameters from aprevious gaming session.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention willbecome evident from the following detailed description, drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional electronic gaming device in the formof a video poker machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system of networked multipleelectronic gaming devices;

FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots whereby aplayer may select certain preferred game parameters;

FIG. 4 illustrates a game screen with two slot games displayedsimultaneously;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to thisinvention wherein the functionality of its buttons can be reassigned bythe operator/player; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the button area for the game machine ofFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference willnow be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventivefeatures illustrated herein, and any additional applications of theprinciples of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normallyoccur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of thisdisclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the inventionclaimed.

The operation of slot machines, video poker machines, keno machines andthe like are controlled by microprocessors which communicate withinternal memory devices and the external features of the machines. Themicroprocessors also incorporate, or communicate with, a random numbergenerator which ensures the randomness of the machines' outcomes. Sincethe technology for operating and controlling electronic gaming machinesis well known to those skilled in the art, the subtle operationaldetails are not described herein.

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred toby like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary video pokermachine generally referred to by reference numeral 100. The machine 100includes a display 110, coin input 120, bill or coupon acceptor 130,card reader 135 and interface buttons, including hold/discard buttons140, deal/draw button 150, cash out button 160, bet one coin button 170and bet max coins button 180. In lieu of, or in addition to, alloperations achieved using the interface buttons may be accomplished viatouch screen technology.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a gaming network generally denoted byreference numeral 200. The gaming network 200 comprises a plurality ofelectronic gaming devices 210-1 through 210-16 and a central computer,processor and/or server 220. As shown, the gaming devices 210-1 through210-16 form two banks 215-1, 215-2 of devices. However, in practice morethan two banks of devices can be linked to a common server. In thisconfiguration, the server 220 may communicate with a bank router deviceor a bank processor as well. Alternatively, each device 210-1 through210-16 may be in direct communication with the server 220. Multipleservers may also be part of the configuration. A player tracking system230, facilitated by computer software, runs on the central server 220.The player tracking system 230 tracks gaming sessions of registeredplayers. In a majority of instances, registered players are issuedplayers' or slot club cards. The cards include a magnetic stripe whichstores player-related information. Prior to the start of any gamingsession, a player inserts his or her card into card readers incorporatedon the electronic gaming devices 210-1 through 210-16. Upon insertion,the player's information is read by the card reader and a correspondingplayer database stored on the central server 220 or elsewhere isaccessed. In some systems, the player tracking system causes a playergreeting (e.g., “HELLO BOB”) to be transmitted to a small multi-segment,LED, LCD or similar type display on the electronic gaming device. Oncethe gaming session terminates, information from the new gaming sessionis aggregated with prior gaming session information and the updatedaggregated information is stored in the player's database. Playertracking systems and their corresponding operations are well known tothose skilled in the art.

One purpose of gathering the gaming session information is to allow thecasino to market to players based on the players' playing habits. Casinomarketing includes direct solicitations and providing comps and relatedamenities to maintain existing players and to attract new players.Player tracking systems may gather player information from a singlecasino property or multiple commonly-owned casino properties.

The embodiments of the present invention focus on electronic gamingdevices having parameters or features that can be customized by playersprior to a gaming session so that the gaming experience is heightenedfor the players. In addition, the selected player parameters are storedsuch that they are automatically configured, or offered to players,during each subsequent gaming session.

Slot machines, video poker machines and keno machines have certainattributes that may or may not be appealing to players. Also, they havecertain game functions that are optional for players. It would beadvantageous to permit players to select game attributes and functionsprior to game play and to further store the selections for future use.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a first player wager orinsertion of a player card prompts the gaming machine, namely theprocessor, to query the player regarding his or her preferences relatedto game play. While the number and types of potential queries arenumerous, FIGS. 3A through 3F focus on a representative sample. FIGS. 3Athrough 3F are directed to a video slot machine screen shots, whereinthe queries are ideally presented via a game touch screen, but similarqueries can be presented with any electronic gaming device. Moreover,the queries can be presented to players on a separate screen or device.

FIG. 3A shows a first screen shot 300 depicting a “NUMBER/CONFIGURATIONOF PAY LINES?” query 305 and selection icons 310-314. Once the number ofpay lines is selected, the player may also select which pay lines toactivate. After the number and configuration of pay lines is selected bythe player, a second screen shot 315, as shown in FIG. 3B, depicting a“NUMBER OF COINS PER SPIN?” query 320 and selection icons 325-329 isdisplayed. FIG. 3C shows a third screen shot 330 depicting a “WHICHBONUS GAME?” query 335 and selection icons 340-342. FIG. 3D shows afourth screen shot 345 depicting a “PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT?” query 350 andselection icons 355, 356. FIG. 3E shows a fifth screen shot 360depicting a “RIGHT HANDED OR LEFT HANDED?” query 365 and selection icons370, 371. By selecting left-handed, game play icons may be presented ona left side of the machine screen and by selecting right-handed, gameplay icons may be presented on a right side of the machine screen. FIG.3F shows a sixth screen shot 375 depicting a “GAME TONES?” query 380 andselection icons 385, 386. The player may also be permitted to selectwhich game tones from a selection of game tones. Players may also bepermitted to select whether or not to listen to music of their choicewhile playing the gaming device. The player may want to hear game tonesor may not want to here them. Once all programmed queries have beenpresented and responded to, the player is ready to play the game.

In one embodiment, each of the responses entered by the player is storedin a player database associated with the player tracking system 230.Consequently, during a subsequent gaming session at the same type ofmachine, the stored parameters selected by the player are automaticallyreinstated once the player logs in using his or hr player card.Alternatively, as shown in screen shot 390 of FIG. 3G, the device maydisplay a “WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE STORED PLAYER PARAMETERS?” query 395and selection icons 400, 401. If the player presses the “No” icon 401,the player may be presented with each available query prior to thegaming session being initiated, otherwise, if the player presses the“Yes” icon 400 the stored parameters are reinstated. It is also possiblethat if the player selects the “No” icon 401 the game may beautomatically configured using stored default parameters. Ideally, aplayer's database can store desired parameters associated with multiplemachine types so that the player is able to play any game usingpreferred parameters.

FIG. 3H represents yet another screen shot 410 wherein a plurality ofqueries is presented to the operator/player concerning audio playbackand/or written text language preferences. A first activation area 412instructs the operator/player to “Click here to communicate in English.”If the player touches the screen in the proximity of this activationzone 412, audio messages and/or text messages emanating from the slotmachine game will be played and understood in the English language.Various instructional messages, answers to specific queries, elements ofgame play and other audio and/or text communications may be associatedwith a particular game or gaming machine. Thus, by touching theactivation zone 412, the operator/player chooses the communicationlanguage to be English. Of course, the screen shot 410 can be recalledat any time through help features in the game programming. Additionalactivation zones 414-422 make similar inquiries for the languages ofSpanish, French, Italian, Swedish and German. These are but a smallsampling of the possible language choices, and is limited only by thegame programming. Those of skill in the art will envision otherinterface methods and presentation arrangements for this configurablemulti-lingual audio playback and/or text message feature. The importantelement is that the audio playback and text message options areoperator/player configurable and allow a choice of languages for theplayback of verbal and/or text messages triggered by game play events.

Those skilled in the art will understand that any game features orfunctions may be offered to players and stored for later use and thatthose discussed above are exemplary. Those skilled in the art willfurther understand that a separate system apart from the player trackingsystem, can be utilized to store, and make available at future gamingsessions, the selected player parameters.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the player is able toselect the option of playing multiple games simultaneously. As shown inFIG. 4, game screen 450 displays two 3-reel video slot games 455, 460having nine symbol areas 465, 470. Pay lines (not shown) can take anysuitable number and configuration, and as set forth above, can both beselected by the player. Players may use the game interface means,including maximum wager icons 475, 480, one coin icons 485, 490 and aspin icon 495, to wager and activate the slot games 455, 460. Wagers maybe of an equal amount or different amounts on each slot game 455, 460.Once the wagers are placed, the games are initiated simultaneously viathe spin icon 495. A pair of credits wagered icons 500, 505 (one foreach game) and a total credits available icon 505 monitor playercredits. Alternatively, there can be individual or separate availablecredit icons for each game. Accordingly, players are able to play twogames 455, 460 at the same time. A single processor or multipleprocessors may be used to control the multiple games of chance. Such aconfiguration benefits the player by increasing the excitement level andproviding an enhanced opportunity to win while benefiting the casino byincreasing the money played and therefore the theoretical win of thecasino. While two slot games are shown, it is conceivable that more thantwo slot games may be displayed on a game screen and playedsimultaneously. It is also conceivable that unique slot games or uniquenon-slot games or combinations thereof may be played simultaneously.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, exemplary views of a slot machine and gameare generally shown at 500. The display screen 510 is shown herepresenting a touch-sensitive activation zone 512 displaying the message“Click here to reconfigure buttons.” If an operator/player presses theactivation zone 512, they are permitted to reconfigure the functionalityof the operating buttons 514-540. These buttons 514-540 are used forvarious purposes depending upon the particular game being played throughthe gaming machine 500. If the game being played is a video poker game,like that described above in connection with FIG. 1, the buttons 514-540may be configured to accomplish hold and discard functions, deal anddraw functions, betting functions, cashing out and the like. In the caseof a more traditional slots game, the buttons 514-540 may providefunctions of spin, max bet, quit, cash out, pay table, bet one dollar,bet two dollars, bet four dollars, bet five dollars, bet ten dollars,options, select pay lines and the like.

If, for example, a player is playing a game configured as a reel slotsgame and button 538 is normally configured to operate as a spin buttonand button 540 configured to function as a max bet button, through thisreconfigurable feature the player has the option to reassign thosefunctions to other buttons such as for example buttons 514 and 516. Thismay be advantageous for a left-handed player, for example. The buttons514-540 can be fitted with LCD, LED or other technology to display thefunctionality of each button on its surface so that, once reconfigured,the displayed names will help the player remember the assignedfunctionality of each button.

The ability to reconfigure button functionality and button positions maybe highly desirable to some slot and video game players. For example,when engaged in tournament style play, the player may have addedfunctionality attributed to his game machine through this feature. Aplayer playing progressive style play may likewise take advantage of theopportunity to reconfigure play buttons to suit the situation.Furthermore, a casino operator or proprietor of the gaming machine 500can easily reconfigure the game for Class II or Class III gaming asneeded. By enabling button reconfiguration, bingo and other Class IItype games can be played when it is not desired to enable the machine500 for Class III gaming. Furthermore, the ability to reconfigure thebuttons 514-540 at will facilitates the delivery of multiple gamesthrough the same gaming machine 500. In other words, in a game machinewhose operating platform enables the player to select among various gametitles to be played on the machine 500, the ability to reconfigure thefunctionality of the buttons 514-540 facilitates the playing of variousgames through one machine.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference toseveral embodiments, additional variations and modifications existwithin the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined inthe following claims.

1. An electronic gaming device for playing a game of chance comprising:a processor operable to control a game of chance; means for permittingplayers to select certain preferred parameters associated with playingthe game of chance on the electronic gaming device; storage means incommunication with the electronic gaming device wherein the storagemeans is operable to store selected preferred parameters; and whereinthe electronic gaming device may be automatically configured during eachsubsequent gaming session based on stored selected preferred parametersfrom a previous gaming session.
 2. The electronic gaming device of claim1 wherein the electronic gaming device is one of a plurality ofnetworked electronic gaming devices.
 3. The electronic gaming device ofclaim 1 wherein the storage means is associated with a player trackingsystem.
 4. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein said meansfor permitting the players to select certain preferred parametersassociated with playing the game of chance on the electronic gamingdevice comprises touch screen technology.
 5. The electronic gamingdevice of claim 1 wherein the parameters comprise game play functionsand associated game features.
 6. The electronic gaming device of claim 1wherein the parameters for the player to select from include at leastone of the following: a) number of pay lines; b) configuration of paylines; c) left or right handed; d) bonus game configuration; e) whetherto incorporate a progressive jackpot; f) whether to hear game tones; g)type of game tones; h) whether to hear music; and i) type of music. 7.The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein the processor isoperable to automatically configure the electronic gaming device.
 8. Theelectronic gaming device of claim 1 further comprising means forallowing the players to accept or decline automatic configuration of theelectronic gaming device during each subsequent gaming session based onstored selected preferred parameters from a previous gaming session. 9.A networked electronic gaming device system comprising: a plurality oflinked electronic gaming devices of the same type; means for permittingplayers to select certain preferred parameters associated with playing agame of chance on any one of the electronic gaming devices; storagemeans in communication with each electronic gaming device wherein thestorage means is operable to store selected preferred parameters; andwherein any one of the electronic gaming devices may be automaticallyconfigured during each subsequent gaming session based on storedselected preferred parameters from a previous gaming session.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein the storage means is associated with a playertracking system.
 11. The system of claim 9 wherein said means forpermitting the players to select certain preferred parameters associatedwith playing the game of chance on any one of the electronic gamingdevices comprises touch screen technology.
 12. The system of claim 9wherein the parameters comprise game play functions and associated gamefeatures.
 13. The system of claim 9 wherein electronic gaming deviceprocessors are operable to automatically configure the electronic gamingdevices.
 14. The system of claim 9 further comprising prompting meansfor allowing the players to accept or decline automatic configuration ofthe electronic gaming device during each subsequent gaming session basedon stored selected preferred parameters from a previous gaming session.15. The system of claim 9 wherein the parameters for the player toselect from include at least one of the following: a) number of paylines; b) configuration of pay lines; c) left or right handed; d) bonusgame configuration; e) whether to incorporate a progressive jackpot; f)whether to hear game tones; g) type of game tones; h) whether to hearmusic; and i) type of music.
 16. A method of configuring a gaming devicecomprising: offering a game of chance via an electronic gaming device;permitting players to select certain preferred parameters associatedwith playing the game of chance on the electronic gaming device; storingselected preferred parameters associated with the players; and causingthe electronic gaming device to be automatically configured during eachsubsequent gaming session based on stored selected preferred parametersfrom a previous gaming session.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising linking multiple same type electronic gaming devices to acommon central computer or server.
 18. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising utilizing storage means associated a player tracking systemto store selected preferred parameters associated with players.
 19. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising utilizing touch screen technologyto permit players to select said certain preferred parameters associatedwith playing the game of chance on the electronic gaming device.
 20. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising utilizing an electronic gamingdevice processor to automatically configure the electronic gamingdevice.
 21. The method of claim 16 further comprising permitting theplayer to select parameters from a list including at least one of thefollowing: a) number of pay lines; b) configuration of pay lines; c)left or right handed; d) bonus game configuration; e) whether toincorporate a progressive jackpot; f) whether to hear game tones; g)type of game tones; h) whether to hear music; and i) type of music. 22.A method of configuring a gaming device comprising: offering a game ofchance via an electronic gaming device; permitting players to selectcertain preferred parameters associated with playing the game of chanceon the electronic gaming device; storing selected preferred parametersassociated with the players; and providing the players with the optionof selecting to automatically configure the electronic gaming deviceduring each subsequent gaming session based on stored selected preferredparameters from a previous gaming session.
 23. The method of claim 22further comprising linking multiple same type electronic gaming devicesto a common central computer or server.
 24. The method of claim 22further comprising utilizing storage means associated a player trackingsystem to store selected preferred parameters associated with players.25. The method of claim 22 further comprising utilizing touch screentechnology to permit players to select said certain preferred parametersassociated with playing the game of chance on the electronic gamingdevice and select to automatically configure the electronic gamingdevice.
 26. The method of claim 22 further comprising utilizing anelectronic gaming device processor to automatically configure theelectronic gaming device.
 27. The method of claim 22 further comprisingconfiguring the electronic gaming device according to default parametersin response to a player declining automatic configuration of theelectronic gaming device during each subsequent gaming session based onstored selected preferred parameters from a previous gaming session. 28.The method of claim 22 further comprising permitting the player toselect parameters from a list including at least one of the following:a) number of pay lines; b) configuration of pay lines; c) left or righthanded; d) bonus game configuration; e) whether to incorporate aprogressive jackpot; f) whether to hear game tones; g) type of gametones; h) whether to hear music; and i) type of music.
 29. An electronicgaming device for playing a game of chance comprising: one or moreprocessors operable to control multiple games of chance; displayingmultiple games of chance on a game screen; means for accepting wagersbased on outcomes of multiple games of chance; means for activating saidgames of chance simultaneously; and means for providing payoutsassociated with outcomes of multiple games of chance playedsimultaneously.
 30. The gaming device of claim 29 further comprisingmeans for a player to select the option of playing multiple games ofchance.
 31. The gaming device of claim 29 further comprising means for aplayer to select how many games of chance to play simultaneously. 32.The gaming device of claim 29 further comprising means for a player toselect which games to play simultaneously.
 33. A method of conducting agame of chance comprising: accepting wagers on multiple games of chance;providing means for activating said multiple games of chancesimultaneously; and providing payouts relative to outcomes of each saidmultiple game of chance.
 34. The method of claim 33 further comprisingproviding means for a player to select the option of playing multiplegames of chance.
 35. The method of claim 33 further comprising providingmeans for a player to select how many games of chance to playsimultaneously.
 36. The method of claim 33 further comprising providingmeans for a player to select which games to play simultaneously.
 37. Agame system and method as described and shown in FIG. 3H.
 38. A gamesystem and method as described and shown in FIGS. 5-6.